Israeli soldier seriously injures Palestinian photojournalist

New York, May 18, 2011--The
Committee to Protect Journalists called on Israel today to investigate the
shooting of Palestinian photographer Mohammed Othman. Othman was shot and
seriously wounded by an Israeli soldier on May 15 near the Erez Crossing
between Israel and the Gaza Strip, while on assignment for the U.K.-based
citizen journalism site and photo agency Demotix, according to local and
international news reports.

Othman was covering clashes between the
Israeli military and Palestinians on Sunday when he was shot. He was about to
take a picture of an Israeli soldier who was firing at a Palestinian who was
throwing stones. As he held his camera, another Israeli soldier shot him, Mazen
al-Breem, another Demotix photographer at the scene, told CPJ. Two bullets hit
Othman, one in the hand and another in the back, Turi Munthe, founder and CEO
of Demotix, told CPJ. The Israeli
Defense Forces' Spokesperson's Unit did not provide CPJ with an immediate
comment, but said that it would send a written response.

Othman was taken
to a Gaza City hospital, where he underwent surgery. A doctor at the hospital told
Agence France-Presse that a bullet tore through Othman's lung and then lodged
in his spine. Although Othman's condition is currently stable, there are
concerns about potential paralysis if additional operations are not
forthcoming, according to the same report. Othman's wife, Iman, told
journalists that medical staff informed her that husband is likely to require a
level of medical treatment that is not available in Gaza.

"Israeli authorities must launch a
timely and transparent investigation into the shooting of Mohammed Othman, and
punish any individuals guilty of misconduct," said CPJ Middle East and North
Africa Program Coordinator Mohamed Abdel Dayem. "In addition, Israel must also
do everything it can to facilitate Othman's medical evacuation to another
country if requested."